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Friday Focus
December 8, 2023
In This Issue...
- A Message from Marcie
- Congratulations to Band and Orchestra on their Concerts!
- Cell Phone and Smartwatch Use at South Park
- 109 Gives Back Holiday Gift Drive
- Important Dates
Don't miss the PTO Spotlight:
- Feed My Starving Children
- After School Enrichment
- Village of Deerfield Toy Drive
- And much more...
A Message from Marcie
Thanks for a great week, South Park!
On Wednesday, we welcomed the Deerfield High School Choraliers to South Park for a performance of holiday-themed vocal music. Students enjoyed listening to the high schoolers and were a warm, welcoming audience to our guests. The tradition of bringing in the DHS Choraliers is our favorite way to kick off the holiday season at South Park!
Next week, we look forward to seeing our 5th graders perform their production of Finding Nemo Kids. All students will attend the daytime performance, and families are invited to join us at 6:00 for the evening performance.
Have a wonderful weekend!
-Marcie
Congrats to Band and Orchestra on their Concerts!
Our band and orchestra students performed at Caruso Middle School this past Wednesday evening. Congratulations to all of our young musicians and thank you to Mrs. Zmuda and Mrs. Vega-King for leading these valuable programs.
Cell Phone and Smartwatch Use at South Park
As you likely know from the DPS109 Student and Parent/Guardian Handbook, all electronic devices must be kept silenced and out-of-sight during the regular school day. We wanted to inform you about a new policy at our building specifically regarding the use of cell phones. In addition, we would like to take this opportunity to send a reminder about smartwatch use during school hours.
Beginning this week, our 4th and 5th graders were informed that if they are found using their phone during the school day, they will receive one verbal warning. We believe in providing students with an opportunity to correct their behavior and learn from their mistakes.
Following this warning, if a student continues to use their cell phone during the school day, the phone will be temporarily confiscated and taken to the school office. In such cases, we will contact a parent/guardian to inform them about the situation, and we kindly request that the child's phone be picked up from the office at their earliest convenience.
We have also noticed an increase in distractions caused by students sending and receiving texts on their smartwatches during class time. While we understand the convenience and safety features of these devices, we kindly request that you refrain from initiating or responding to texts sent by your child's smartwatch during school hours. This will help create a focused and conducive learning atmosphere for all students.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding!
109 Gives Back Holiday Gift Drive -- Deadline Extended to Wednesday, December 13th!
You can still help with the gift drive to help members of our own community!
Sign up now to make someone’s holiday a little bit brighter!
Gifts can be dropped off in our front foyer!
Please make sure gifts are not wrapped
Please make sure gifts are labeled with the themed family name (example: Candy Cane family)
If you are bringing gift cards, we ask that you bring them to the school’s front office.
Gifts can also be shipped directly to Wilmot Elementary School at 795 Wilmot Road in Deerfield care of Eileen Brett.
Thank you for helping ensure that our neighbors have a wonderful holiday season!
Other Important Information ⚠️
- All visitors to South Park School MUST bring a valid driver's license or state ID card to the main office before entering into the building. Beginning this year, we will collect IDs during your visit and return it to you as you leave.
- If your child is going to be absent from school, you need to call or email us by 9:00 that morning. ** Call 847-945-5895, ext. 2103 and leave a message OR ** Email Nurse Nora Moskos.
- Please follow our morning procedures, and drop your children off at their regular grade level doors. If you choose to drive through the front circle at arrival, kindly stay in your car when you drop off to help us reduce morning congestion.
- K-5 drop-off is between 8:35-8:45 a.m. Students who arrive after 8:45 a.m. will need to enter through the front door of the school, as all other doors will be locked.
- Dismissal for all Kindy and 1st-grade walkers and car riders will take place at their grade level door.
- Early Learners drop-off/pick-up info can be found here.
- When parking in our Birchwood parking lot, please remember that our preschoolers are dropped off and picked up by the west end (closest to the school). Sometimes, their parents' cars can block a parked car from exiting for a few minutes. To avoid that, we suggest that you park closer to Birchwood Avenue.
Important Dates 📅
Thursday, December 21-Monday, January 8
- Winter Break
Tuesday, January 9
- School Resumes
Monday, January 15
- No School - MLK Day
- South Park Booktacular 5:30-7:00
- No School - Teacher Institute Day
- No School - Presidents Day
- No School - Casimir Pulaski Day
- Early Release at 11:40 a.m.
- Parent-Teacher Conferences - 1:00-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-8:00 p.m.
- Non-Attendance Day for Students
- Parent Teacher Conferences from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
- Spring Break
- School Resumes
Fine Arts Night:
Thursday, April 18th - 4:00-5:30
Music Concert Dates:
- 5th Grade - Wednesday, December 13th @ 6:00
- 4th Grade - Thursday, February 8th @ 6:00
- 3rd Grade - Thursday, January 25th @ 6:00
- 2nd Grade - Thursday, February 8th @ 5:00
- 1st Grade - Thursday, January 25th @ 5:00
- Kindergarten - Wednesday, April 10 @ 6:00
- Early Learners - Wednesday, April 10 @ 5:00